- 1[countable] the forward movement of a group of people, especially armed forces We feared that an advance on the capital would soon follow. enemy advances Topic CollocationsWar and Peacestarting a war
- declare/wage war (on somebody/something)
- go to war (against/with somebody)
- cause/spark/provoke/foment/quell unrest
- incite/lead/crush/suppress a revolt/rebellion
- launch/mount/carry out a surprise/terrorist attack
- prevent/halt/represent an escalation of the conflict
- be torn apart by/be on the brink of civil war
- enter/invade/occupy somebody's territory
- lead/launch/resist/repel an invasion
- adopt/develop/implement/pursue a military strategy
- carry out/execute/perform military operations/maneuvers
- send/deploy/station/pull back/withdraw troops
- go on/fly/carry out a reconnaissance/rescue mission
- train/equip/deploy army/military/combat units
- lead/launch/conduct an (air/airborne/amphibious) attack/a surprise attack (on somebody); an assault/a raid (on somebody)
- employ/use guerrilla tactics
- conduct/wage biological/guerrilla warfare
- fight/crush/defeat the rebels/the insurgency
- suffer/inflict a crushing defeat
- achieve/win a decisive victory
- halt/stop the American/German advance
- order/force a retreat
- join/serve in the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard/reserves
- be/go/remain/serve on active duty
- do/complete/return from a tour of duty
- be sent to the front (line)
- attack/strike/engage/defeat/kill/destroy the enemy
- witness/see/report/be engaged in heavy fighting
- call for/be met with armed resistance
- come under heavy/machine-gun/mortar fire
- fire a machine gun/mortar shells/rockets (at somebody/something)
- shoot a rifle/a pistol/bullets/missiles
- launch/fire a(n) cruise/ballistic/anti-tank missile
- use biological/chemical/nuclear weapons
- inflict/suffer/sustain heavy losses/casualties
- be hit/killed by enemy/friendly/artillery fire
- become/be held as/be taken as a prisoner of war
- harm/kill/target/protect innocent/unarmed civilians
- cause/avoid/limit/minimize civilian casualties/collateral damage
- impose/enforce/lift a curfew
- engage in/be a victim of ethnic cleansing
- be sent to a concentration/an internment camp
- accept/house/resettle/turn away refugees fleeing from war
- fear/threaten military/violent reprisals
- commit/be accused of war crimes/crimes against humanity/genocide
- make/bring/win/achieve/maintain/promote peace
- call for/negotiate/broker/declare a ceasefire/a temporary truce
- sign a ceasefire agreement
- call for/bring/put an end to hostilities
- demand/negotiate/accept the surrender of somebody/something
- establish/send (in) a peacekeeping force
- negotiate/conclude/ratify/sign/accept/reject/break/violate a peace treaty
development - 2[countable, uncountable] advance (in something) progress or a development in a particular activity or area of understanding recent advances in medical science We live in an age of rapid technological advance. major advances in the field of physics
- 3[countable, usually singular] money paid for work before it has been done or money paid earlier than expected They offered an advance of $5,000 after the signing of the contract. She asked for an advance on her salary. The bank will give you an advance of 95% of the purchase price. sexual
- 4advances [plural] attempts to start a sexual relationship with someone He had made advances to several women. She rejected his sexual advances. price increase
- 5[countable] advance (on something) (business) an increase in the price or value of something Share prices showed significant advances. Idioms
- 1before the time that is expected; before something happens a week/month/year in advance The rent is due one month in advance. It's cheaper if you book the tickets in advance. People were evacuated from the coastal regions in advance of the hurricane.
- 2more developed than someone or something else Galileo's ideas were well in advance of the age in which he lived.
forward movement
Check pronunciation: advance